Akron City Council is left to weigh whether a proposal to force panhandlers to register with the city and wear identification badges is a safety precaution or a scarlet letter.
Many in support of the proposal to control panhandling, which included 10 business owners, civic leaders, police officers and residents, shared their opinions with council members for about 45 minutes Monday.
``I know all the panhandlers because I've arrested most all of them,'' officer Edward Latchaw said, citing about 10 people, ``and I know none of them are homeless and none of them go hungry.''
The proposed law would ban panhandling within 20 feet of ATMs, banks, street cafes, Canal Park, Lock 3 and the Civic Theatre. It would also require panhandlers to register with police for a free ID badge to identify them as law-abiding citizens.
Dayton police, who enforce a similar law, report more downtown traffic and a greater sense of public safety, Deputy Mayor Dave Lieberth told the council.
Representatives of the Akron Art Museum, Haven of Rest, Lock 3, Panini's and the Peanut Shoppe also spoke in favor.
``One person comes up, talks to my patrons, and I know they're not coming back to my business,'' said Jared Kiehl, owner of three self-serve car washes.
Downtown Akron attracts the most daily employment -- 30,000 people -- and annual visitors -- more than 3 million -- in the county, Lieberth said.
The proposal's passage would kick off a public education campaign to teach visitors how to help those in real need.
Council heard opposition from two homeless advocates.
Most business owners cited aggressive panhandling incidents that are already grounds for citations and continue to happen, said Brian Davis, executive director of the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless.
The law would merely tuck a larger social issue under the rug, Akron resident Dana Williams added.
``Right now, we are forced to look it in the face daily and answer it as we lie and say, `No, I don't have any change,' '' said Williams, a member of Food Not Bombs. ``I personally do not feel any sympathy for a business person or visitor in downtown Akron who gets asked for change -- and I get asked on a regular basis myself.''
The council plans to consider the issue further while the city's law department looks into its legality. A similar law in Cincinnati is being challenged in federal court.
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